My Blessing, My Boy

When Andrew Holland was 13, he was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma after a tumor was discovered in his spine. Doctors gave him 50-50 odds of survival.

On March 14, 2012, he underwent his last chemotherapy treatment. Less than three weeks later, his mother Regina received a phone call from the hospital. An MRI revealed four new tumors in Andrew’s spine. He immediately returned to chemotherapy as doctors worked to determine what his treatment options would be.

“I don’t think I’m going to die,” Andrew said. “ I think I can come really, really close to it— just not going to die.”

Some day Andrew hopes to be an author. Although he rarely betrays the optimism that defines his character, a darker side to his struggle is revealed through his writing.

For now, Andrew and Regina continue to take things day by day. They are unsure of what their future holds. The one thing they know for certain is that, for now, they have each other.